Removable safety end rail for bleachers

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a removable end rail system that can be removed from the end of a bleacher, folded and stored upon the bleacher deck so that the end rails are concealed when the telescoping bleacher are folded away for storage. The end rail system is comprised of a base member and an end rail member. The end rail member is designed to protect occupants when used on bleachers in gymnasiums and other spectator areas. The end rail member is comprised of vertical pickets and is designed to be installed and then removed after each use of the bleachers. The end rail member is fastened to the base member by using a set of thumb screws. The end rail is hinged through the vertical center so that it can then be folded and stored flat upon the deck of the bleachers for storage purposes.

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/249,021 filed on Nov. 15, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to bleacher safety equipment to prevent injury to people who are occupying bleachers during sporting and other spectator events. More particularly, the present invention relates to bleacher end rails that protect bleacher occupants from falling off the edges of the bleachers wherein the end rails can be folded and stored when the bleachers are not in use.

PRIOR ART

[0003] Bleacher end rails are used to protect bleacher occupants during spectator events by preventing them from falling off of the edges of the bleachers. Bleachers are designed to allow each row of seated viewers to have a commanding view of the spectator area by elevating each subsequent row, with the first row having the lowest elevation and the last row having the highest elevation. The elevation of the upper bleacher rows can exceed twenty feet or more which could cause serious injury or death to a spectator who were to fall from such elevations.

[0004] For telescoping bleachers there are two basic types of end rail systems. The first is a self storing end rail system. The self storing end rail system has vertical pickets that are permanently mounted to the bleacher and are slanted outward from the bleacher at an angle. The angular orientation of the end rails allows the end rails to automatically stack and extend when ever the bleachers whenever the bleachers are operated. These systems are costly and are not concealed when the bleachers are not in use.

[0005] The second is a removable end rail system, usually made of aluminum in a post and picket design where all guards are in the vertical position except for the top rail, which is used for a hand rail. On telescoping bleachers, the post and pickets are in the vertical position and the top hand rail is on a diagonal, following the slope of the bleachers from row to row. With this post and picket guard rail, the end rail is removed from the bleachers as a single section and then it is compressed together in a scissor action and stored upon the deck of the bleacher. This end rail design is too heavy to be removed by a single individual and are very costly to produce. Prior art devices do not provide for a cost effective, light weight removable bleacher end rail system that stores out of site when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention may be described as a novel and improved removable end rail system that can be removed from the ends of a bleacher, folded and stored upon the bleacher deck so that the rail ends are concealed when the telescoping bleachers are closed. The end rail system is comprised of a base member and an end rail member. The end rail member includes vertical guards designed to protect occupants when used on telescoping bleachers in gymnasiums and other spectator areas. The end rail includes vertical pickets and is designed to be installed and then removed after each use of the bleachers. The end rail is fastened to the bleacher by use of the base member. The end rail is hinged through its vertical center so that it can then be folded and stored flat upon the deck of the bleacher for storage. The bleacher can then be moved rearward and compressed against the building walls. When the bleachers are to be used again for spectator seating the bleacher is extended. The guard rails are then fitted into the base member and secured with a thumb tightening screw rendering the bleachers ready for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the end rail system of the present invention connected to a telescoping bleacher;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an end rail;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an end rail vertically displaced above a base member;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a partially folded end rail; and

[0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end rail showing one-half being folded over the other half.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] While the present invention will be described fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a particular embodiment is shown, it is understood at the outset that persons skilled in the art may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the desired result of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as a broad informative disclosure directed to persons skilled in the appropriate arts and not as limitations of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates an end rail system 10 for a telescoping bleacher 12 with a first end rail 14 vertically displaced from a base plate 16. Also illustrated is another end rail 14 folded and laying on the deck 18 of the bleacher 12. When the end rails 14 are connected to the bleacher 12, the spacing between subsequent rows of end rails 14 is minimal. The telescoping bleacher 12 is a seating system that is designed to stage the elevation of seated spectators so that the entire audience would have a clear view of the center stage activities. When the telescoping bleacher 12 is not in use, it is longitudinally collapsed by moving the first row of the bleacher 12 toward an attachment wall. When fully collapsed, the bleacher 12 forms a wall with risers 20 of the bleacher visible. The telescoping bleacher systems 12 typically include a seat portion 22, the deck portion 18 and the riser portion 20. Each portion 18, 20, and 22 are comprised of longitudinal planks that are fastened to a framework (not shown). When the telescoping bleachers 12 are collapsed, the deck portion 20 and the seat portion 22 move rearward beneath the rearward riser 20. When fully expanded, the seat portions 22 vary in elevation from row to row.

[0014] The removable end rail system 10 is comprised of the end rail 14 and the base plate 16. The base plate 16 includes a plate member 28, a first socket 30 and a second socket 32 as shown in FIG. 3. The plate member 28 is fabricated from steel plate stock and is rectangular in shape. The width of the plate member 28 is sized to be equal to or almost equal to the width of the deck portion 18. The plate member 28 further includes a plurality of apertures 34 that allow the plate member 28 to be fastened to the deck portion 24 with bolts or other types of fasteners.

[0015] The first socket 30 has a square cross-section and has a top end 34 and a bottom end 36, an exterior surface 38 and an interior surface 40. The first socket 30 is fabricated from rectangular steel tubing but other materials could be used known to those skilled in the art. The top end 34 of the first socket 30 is adapted to accept the end rail 14. The bottom end 36 of the first socket 30 is connected to the plate member 28 by welding or other fastening means known to one skilled in the art. The first socket 30 includes a threaded aperture (not shown) that extends from the exterior surface 38 through to the interior surface 40. The threaded aperture (not shown) is adapted to accept a thumb screw 44 that secures the end rail 14 to the first socket 30.

[0016] The second socket 32 is also square in shape and includes a top end 46, a bottom end 48, an exterior surface 50 and an interior surface 52. The top end 46 of the second socket 32 is adapted to accept the end rail 14. The bottom end 48 of the second socket 32 is connected to the plate member 28 by welding or other fastening means known to one skilled in the art. The second socket 32 includes a threaded aperture 54 that extends from the exterior surface 50 through to the interior surface 52. The threaded aperture 54 is adapted to accept a thumb screw 56 that secures the end rail 14 to the second socket 32. The second socket 32 also includes a support flange 58 that is connects the second socket 32 to the plate member 28. The support flange 58 includes apertures 60 to allow the base plate 16 to be further connected to the bleacher 12 with fasteners for additional support.

[0017] The end rail 14 is comprised of a first rail section 62 and a second rail section 64, as shown in FIG. 2. The end rail 14 is preferably fabricated from aluminum tube stock but could be made using other materials known to those skilled in the art. The end rail 14 is adapted to be connected to the base plate, as shown in FIG. 3, to secure the end rail 14 to the bleacher 12. The first rail section 62 is comprised of an inboard picket 66, a central picket 68 and an outboard picket 70. The outboard picket 70 includes a horizontal end portion 72 and a vertical end portion 74 interconnected by a 90 degree bend 76. The vertical end portion 74 includes a lower end stubshaft 80 that is connected to the first socket 30 of the base plate 16. The stubshaft 80 is fastened to the first socket 30 by use of the thumb screw 44. The horizontal end portion 72 ends at the interconnection with the inboard picket 66.

[0018] The central picket 68 is oriented between the inboard picket 66 and the outboard picket 70 and includes an upper end 84 and a lower end 86. The upper end 84 of the central picket 68 is connected to the horizontal end portion 72 of the outboard picket 70 and the lower end 86 is connected to a horizontal plate 82 that interconnects the three pickets 66, 68 and 70.

[0019] The inboard picket 66 includes an upper end 88 that connected to the horizontal end portion 72 of the outboard picket and further includes a lower end 90 connected to the horizontal plate 82. The inboard picket 66 further includes a pair of hinge halves 92 to allow the first rail section 62 to be pivotally connected to the second rail section 64.

[0020] The second rail section 64 is also comprised of an inboard picket 94, a central picket 96 and an outboard picket 98. The outboard picket 98 includes a horizontal end portion 100 and a vertical end portion 102 interconnected by a 90 degree bend 104. The vertical end portion 102 includes a lower end stubshaft 106 that is connected to the second socket 32 of the base plate 16. The stubshaft 106 is fastened to the second socket 32 by use of the thumb screw 56. The horizontal end portion 100 ends at the interconnection with the inboard picket 94.

[0021] The central picket 96 is oriented between the inboard picket 94 and the outboard picket 98 and includes an upper end 108 and a lower end 110. The upper end 108 of the central picket 96 is connected to the horizontal end portion 100 of the outboard picket 98 and the lower end 110 is connected to a horizontal plate 112 that interconnects the three pickets 94, 96 and 98.

[0022] The inboard picket 94 includes an upper end 114 that connected to the horizontal end portion 100 of the outboard picket 98 and further includes a lower end 116 connected to the horizontal plate 112. The inboard picket 94 further includes a pair of hinge halves 118 to allow the second rail section 64 to be pivotally connected to the first rail section 62.

[0023] The first rail section 62 is pivotally connected to the second rail section 64 by hinges 120 and 122. The hinges 120 and 122 allow the end rail 14 to be folded upon itself so that it can be stored upon the deck 18 when not in use, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. When the telescoping bleachers 12 are to be used, they are pulled out from a wall of a gymnasium and fully extended. The end rails 14, one on each end of a row of seating are removed from the deck 18 of the bleacher 12. The two rail sections 62 and 64 of the end rail 14 are unfolded and the stub shafts 80 and 106 are inserted into the first and second socket 30 and 32. Once the end rail 14 is positioned in the first and second socket 30 and 32, thumb screws 44 and 56 are tightened to secure the end rail 14 to prevent removal of the end rail 14 from the base plate 16. The end rails 14 for each row of seating is installed in the same fashion until every row is completed.

[0024] When the event is over and the bleacher 12 is to be stored, the end rails 14 can be removed by loosening the thumb screws 44 and 56 and removing the end rails 14 from their respective base plate 16. The end rails 14 are then folded in half and stored upon the deck portion 24 of the bleacher 12. The benefit of the end rail 14 design is their light weight, allowing a single individual to set up the bleachers without the assistance of others. Also, if the entire bleacher 12 does not need to be used, it can be opened part way and the end rails 14 can be installed only for the open portion of the bleacher 12.

[0025] Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, however, it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate, and that the invention is to be given its fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable bleacher end rail system for a bleacher comprising: a foldable end rail having a first section and a second section wherein said second section is pivotally connected to said first section by a hinge assembly; a base member adapted to be connected to the bleacher and including an end rail securement device to allow said foldable end rail to be removably attached to said base member.
 2. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 1, wherein said securement device includes a first socket and a second socket adapted to accept said foldable end rail.
 3. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 2, wherein said first socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.
 4. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 2, wherein said second socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.
 5. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 3, wherein said first section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said first socket.
 6. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 5, wherein said releasable fastener secures said stub shaft in said first socket.
 7. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 4, wherein said second section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said second socket.
 8. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 7, wherein said releasable fastener of said second socket secures said stub shaft of said second section in said second socket.
 9. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 1, wherein said foldable end rail is folded and placed upon a top surface of the bleacher when not in use.
 10. A bleacher end rail system for a bleacher comprising: a base member adapted to be fastened to the bleacher; a first end rail section having a plurality of substantially vertical members, said first end rail section adapted the be releasably connected to said base member; a second end rail section pivotally connected to said first end rail section having a plurality of substantially vertical members, said second end rail section adapted to be releasably connected to said base member.
 11. The bleacher end rail system of claim 10, wherein said base member include a first socket and a second socket adapted to accept said first end rail section and said second end rail section.
 12. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 11, wherein said first socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.
 13. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 11, wherein said second socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.
 14. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 12, wherein said first end rail section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said first socket.
 15. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 14, wherein said releasable fastener secures said stub shaft in said first socket.
 16. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 13, wherein said second end rail section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said second socket.
 17. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 16, wherein said releasable fastener of said second socket secures said stub shaft of said second end rail section in said second socket.
 18. The foldable bleacher end rail system of claim 10, wherein said first end rail section and said second end rail section are folded and placed upon a top surface of the bleacher when not in use.
 19. A folding bleacher end rail assembly for use with a bleacher comprising: an end rail releasably connectable to the bleacher and having at least two sections, said sections being pivotally connected to allow folding of said end rail; said end rail is adapted to be removed from the bleacher folded and stored when not in use.
 20. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 19, further including a base member adapted to secure said end rail to the bleacher.
 21. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 20, wherein said base member includes a first socket and a second socket adapted to accept said end rail.
 22. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 21, wherein said first socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.
 23. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 21, wherein said second socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.
 24. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 22, wherein said end rail includes a first stub shaft adapted to be connected with said first socket.
 25. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 24, wherein said releasable fastener secures said first stub shaft in said first socket.
 26. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 23, wherein said end rail further includes a second stub shaft adapted to be connected with said second socket.
 27. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 26, wherein said releasable fastener of said second socket secures said second stub shaft in said second socket.
 28. The folding bleacher end rail assembly of claim 19, wherein said foldable end rail is placed upon a top surface of the bleacher when not in use. 